Multi-imager multi-source multi-use coded data source data input product

ABSTRACT

Working with an information system operating an application—are an imager, a coded data source, and a computer-readable signal-bearing medium signal (FIG.  1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 91, 92, 93 ) connected to the information system where light from the data source—which represents data—is detected by the imager which inputs a signal—which represents the light—to the information system; where a use component of the medium causes the data to be made available to the application with the application being specified by the data; and where: the image can be from a plurality of imagers signal connected to the information system; the coded data source can be from a plurality of coded data sources; the application can be from a plurality of applications operated by the information system; and the medium can have a plurality of components which cause uses of data, management of imagers, and output signals.

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application60/256,086 filed 15 Dec. 2000.

The product—which works with an information system—comprises a firstcoded data source which specifies a first application operated by theinformation system, a first imager which detects light from the firstcoded data source and inputs a signal to the information system, and acomputer-readable signal-bearing medium which routs data represented bythe first coded data source to the first application.

First light from the first coded data source—which represents firstdata—is detected by the first imager which inputs a first signal—whichrepresents the first light—to the information system. A use component ofthe medium causes at least part of the first data to be made availableto the first application. The first application is specified by thefirst data.

The first imager can be from a plurality of imagers all signal connectedto the information system. The first coded data source can be from aplurality of coded data sources. The first application can be from aplurality of applications operated by the information system. The mediumcan have a plurality of components which cause specific uses of data,cause management of the imagers, and cause output of signals.

The invention provides progress over prior art shown for example in U.S.Pat. No. 5,912,700 by Honey 15 Jun. 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,441 byStuart 12 Mar. 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,050 by Sauermann 04 Jul. 1978,and U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,233 by Bein 11 Oct. 1977.

The product is depicted schematically in the figure.

The data input product—which works with an information system91—comprises a first coded data source, a first imager, and acomputer-readable signal-bearing medium 11.

A first coded data source—41 for example—represents first data. A firstimager which is signal connected with the information system has a firstfield of view extending along a first triad of orthogonal axes. Thefirst field of view overlaps the first coded data source.

When the first imager is from a plurality of imagers 31, all signalconnected 92 with the information system, the first field of view is ina collective field of view 33 of the plurality of imagers. Thecollective field of view can have parts which overlap other parts, canhave parts which do not overlap other parts but meet other parts, andcan have parts which do not overlap any other parts and do not meet anyother parts. The collective field of view and parts of the collectivefield of view can change over time.

A first signal is caused by the first imager when the first imagerdetects first light from the first coded data source. The first lightrepresents the first data. The first signal is input to the informationsystem. The first signal represents the first light and thus representsthe first data. When the first imager is from a plurality of imagers,the first light is part of collective light 32 detected by the pluralityof imagers.

When the first coded data source is from a plurality of coded datasources, a second coded data source—51 for example—from the plurality ofcoded data sources source in the first field of view can specify seconddata. The first imager can detect first light from the first coded datasource and second light from second coded data source concurrently andthe first signal can represent the first light and the second light.

“Detect light” here and throughout means not only detecting the presenceof light but also means detecting the specific properties of the lightwhich represent first data so that the imager can cause a signal whichrepresents the first data. Detecting light concurrently from severalspatially separated coded data sources distinguishes the imager from abar code reader which can not concurrently detect light from severalspatially separated bar codes with the meaning of “detect” here.

The computer-readable signal-bearing medium is signal connected 93 withthe information system. The medium has components which cause variousactions by causing the information system to cause the actions. Themedium has a use component 12 which causes at least part of the firstdata to be made available to a first application operated by theinformation system, when the first data specifies the first application.

When the imager detects the first light and can resolve the first lightthe first signal represents the first data. When the imager detects thefirst light but can not resolve the first light sufficiently for thefirst signal to represent the first data the medium can cause actionsdescribed below.

The medium can also have an output component 21 which is adapted tocause output of first output data calculated by the first applicationusing the first data, when the use data specifies output. For example,the first data can represent a query and the first output data canrepresent an answer.

When the first coded data source is from a plurality of coded datasources, and the first application is from a plurality of applicationsoperated by the information system, a second coded data source from theplurality of coded data sources can specify a second application fromthe plurality of coded data sources. The medium can cause at least partof the second data to be made available to the second application.

The medium can have a record component 13 which causes at least part ofthe first data to be recorded by the information system as part of usedata available to the information system, when the first data allowsrecording. In a form of the product all coded data sources from aplurality of coded data sources can allow recording. In a form of theproduct only several coded data sources from the plurality of coded datasources can allow recording.

The medium can have an identity component 14 which causes an identity ofthe first coded data source to be recorded by the information system aspart of the use data, when the first data allows recording of theidentity. In one form of the product all coded data sources from aplurality of coded data sources can allow recording of the identity. Ina form of the invention only several coded data sources from theplurality of coded data sources can allow recording of the identity.

The medium can have a region component 15 which is adapted to cause animager from the plurality of imagers to image a region of spacespecified by the use data. In one form of the product any first codeddata source from a plurality of coded data sources can specify a firstregion of space to be imaged. For example, there could be use dataneeded by an application in the first region. In this example the usedata could be analog use data, digital use data, and combinations ifthese.

In a form of the product the medium can cause the imager to image aregion of space which is not specified by any coded data source but iscaused to be specified by the region component and the use data. Forexample, if the light from a coded data source detected by a firstimager is not sufficient to represent the first data, then the mediumcan cause various actions such as zooming the first imager in on theregion of space containing the coded data source, moving the firstimager to better view the region of space, assigning another imager froma plurality of imagers to view the region of space, and combinations ofthese and other view improving actions.

The medium can have an orient component 16 which is adapted to cause thespatial location of a first coded data source to be recorded by theinformation system as part of the use data as a reference point. In aform of the product the causation here can occur when a coded datasource specifies orienting. For example several coded data sources froma plurality of coded data sources can be dedicated reference points andlocated strategically in an environment.

In a form of the product the causation here can occur via interactionbetween the medium and the use data even though no coded data sourcespecifies orienting. For example, the medium can cause coded datasources in an environment which the use data show to be stable to berecorded as reference points.

The medium can have a view component 23 which is adapted to cause achange in the collective field of view. In a form of the product a codeddata source can specify a change in the collective field of view. In aform of the product the medium using the use data can specify a changein the field of view without any coded data source specifying thechange.

The medium can have a locate component 17 which is adapted to causelocation of the first coded data source relative to at least onereference point. In a form of the product the first coded data sourcecan specify the locating. In a form of the product the medium using theuse data can cause the locating without any coded data source specifyingthe locating.

The medium can have a track component 22 which is adapted to cause atracking time series of locations of the first coded data source to berecorded by the information system as part of the use data. In a form ofthe product the first coded data source can specify the tracking.

In an example, a person can change the position of the first coded datasource in the first field of view. The first data can be the position ofthe first coded data source. The first output data can be a display of acursor tracking the positions of the code region. In another examplewhere a person changes the position of the first coded data source inthe first field of view, the first output data can control a process.The process can be motions of a device.

In a form of the product the medium using the use data can specify thetracking. For example, if a coded data source is located near asensitive part of an environment at a time, then the medium can causethe later locations of that coded data source to be tracked at latertimes.

The medium can have a confirm component 18 which is adapted to causedetermination that the tracking time series and the first data areconsistent.

The medium can have a coordinate component 24 which causes theinformation system to use the use data to cause coordination of at leastsome imagers from the plurality of imagers. The view component and theconfirm component can be components of the coordinate component.

The coordinate component can cause analysis of use data to oversee theactions of imagers and medium components. The coordinate component cancause management of the actions of the imagers via the output componentand can cause management of actions of the medium components.

The coordinate component can cause variation of all of the variableelements of the imagers. For example the coordinate component can causeadjustment of the focus of an imager to optimize resolution.

The coordinate component can cause changes in the field of view of animager and changes in the collective field of view. The coordinatecomponent can cause at least a first imager to scan over a first fieldof view.

The coordinate component can cause assignment of a specific imager tospecific coded data source. The coordinate component can cause passingon of the assignment from a first imager to a second imager when thesecond imager can better detect light from the coded data source. Thecoordinate component can cause use of extrapolation to assign an imagerto pick up a coded data source as it returns from being out of sight ofthe imagers.

The coordinate component can cause changes in illumination of coded datasources. The coordinate component can cause modulation of theillumination to help resolve coded data sources over background light.

The medium can have an optimize component 25 which causes generation ofan optimum path from the first coded data source to a target location,when the use data specifies optimizing.

The medium can have a vary component 26 which causes variable data to berecorded as part of the use data, when the first data specifiesvariation. The variable data can be part of the first data. The variabledata can be caused by the region component of the medium to be imagedfrom a region of space specified by the first data. The first data canspecify that a time series of values of the variable data be recorded aspart of the use data.

The medium can have a control component 27 which causes generation of acontrol signal, when first data specifies control. The control signalcan interact with an agent associated with the first data. An agentassociated with the first data can be a being or a device. An agent canbe identified by the first data. An agent can change the first data. Thecontrol signal can be electrical, photonic, visual, audible, tactile,and any other form useful to the being or device comprising the agent.

In an example, variable data can indicate the value of a property(temperature for example) of a process. The control signal can be inputto a control device controlling the process. The control device can usethe control signal to change the process accordingly.

Light from any first coded data source can represent first data by meansof various physical properties of light in fixed, variable, andmodulated modes. These physical properties of light compriseintensities, frequencies, phases, polarizations, entanglements, blinkrates, decay times, external shapes, internal shapes, linear motions,rotational motions, strain motions, distances from at least onereference point, and combinations of two and more physical propertiessuch as these. First data can be represented by a pattern comprisingthese physical properties in fixed, variable, and modulated modes.

Light from any first coded data source can have various origins such aslight reflected from ambient sources, a light source at the coded datasource, light emitted after energizing by suitable radiation, light witha characteristic decay time emitted after energizing by suitableradiation, a light source adjacent to the imager illuminating the codeddata source, and combinations of these.

Light from any first coded data source is not limited to visible light.For example, infrared can be used, and millimeter and longer wavelengthscan be used. Light can be radiating energy from any portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum which can provide the functions required here.Other forms of radiating energy—such as acoustic energy—which canprovide the functions required here are included in the meaning of“light” here.

The imager can be the dual mode imager of patent applicationPCTUS/01/13742 filed 30 Apr. 2001 and published as WO 01/84475 A1 08Nov. 2001. Coded data sources 41, 51 which work well with the dual modeimager have retro-reflecting regions 42, 44, 52, 54 which are detectedby the locate mode of the imager and have color regions 43, 53 whichrepresent data and are detected by the react mode of the imager. A sizedifferential between the retro-reflecting bands defines a direction 45,55. Other imagers and other forms of coded data sources can be used.

The coordinate component of the medium can cause a coded data source tobe illuminated by light with specific properties, and this light cancomprise the locate light for a dual mode imager. The coordinatecomponent can cause this light to follow a moving coded data source.

The imager can have several elements which selectively detect portionsof a range of values of a physical property of light from a coded datasource, with the several portions detected by the several imagerelements being combined to detect the full range of the physicalproperty of light without forming an image of the coded data source.

At least some imagers from the plurality of imagers can be incorporatedin a flexible sheet. At least part of the medium can be incorporated ina flexible sheet. At least part of the information system can beincorporated in the flexible sheet. At least some coded data sourcesfrom the plurality of coded data sources can be incorporated in theflexible sheet. Various combinations of these elements can beincorporated together in a flexible sheet. Power sources can also beincorporated in the flexible sheet.

A “signal” from a first product part to a second product part and afirst product part being “signal connected” with a second product parthere, and throughout, mean that a first physical state of the firstproduct part causes a second physical state of the second product part.This can occur by various direct causal means and can occur by any ofvarious transmission means. Transmitted signals can be any of variouspoint-to-point and broadcast forms of energy transmission such aswireless and via wires, cables, and fibers. Parts of transmitted signalscan reside with one form of the transmitted signal, parts can residewith a second form of transmitted signal, and parts can reside withvarious combinations of transmitted signals.

The several causes here can act via any of various processing modes. Theprocessing can utilize configured processing elements such as fixedcircuits, can utilize configurable processing elements such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays and neural networks, can utilize instructionsin a data-bearing medium, and can utilize combinations of these. Theprocessing can be stand alone, can act via a local information system,can act via a networked information system, and can act via combinationsof these.

1. A data input product adapted to work with an information system, theproduct comprising: a first coded data source, the first coded datasource representing first data; first light from the first coded datasource, the first light representing the first data; a first imager, thefirst imager being signal connected with the information system, thefirst imager having a first field of view, the first field of viewextending along a first triad of orthogonal axes, the first field ofview overlapping the first coded data source; a first signal, the firstsignal being caused by the first imager when the first imager detectsthe first light from the first coded data source, the first signal beinginput to the information system, the first signal representing the firstlight; a computer-readable signal-bearing medium, the medium beingsignal connected with the information system, the medium having a usecomponent, the use component causing at least part of the first data tobe made available to a first application operated by the informationsystem, when the first data specifies the first application.
 2. Theproduct of claim 1 further comprising an output component of the medium,the output component being adapted to cause output of first output datagenerated by the first application.
 3. The product of claim 1 whereinthe first coded data source is from a plurality of coded data sources.4. The product of claim 1 wherein: the first imager is from a pluralityof imagers, the plurality of imagers has a collective field of view, thefirst field of view is in the collective field of view.
 5. The productof claim 1 wherein the first application is from a plurality ofapplications operated by the information system.
 6. The product of claim1 wherein: the first coded data source is from a plurality of coded datasources; the first imager is from a plurality of imagers, the pluralityof imagers has a collective field of view, the first field of view is inthe collective field of view; and the first application is from aplurality of applications operated by the information system.
 7. Theproduct of claim 6 further comprising a record component of the medium,the record component causing at least part of the first data to berecorded by the information system as part of use data available to theinformation system, when the first data allows recording.
 8. The productof claim 7 further comprising an identity component of the medium, theidentity component causing an identity of the first coded data source tobe recorded by the information system as part of the use data, when thefirst data allows recording of the identity.
 9. The product of claim 7further comprising a region component of the medium, the regioncomponent being adapted to cause an imager from the plurality of imagersto image a region of space.
 10. The product of claim 7 furthercomprising an orient component of the medium, the orient component beingadapted to cause the spatial location of the first coded data source tobe recorded by the information system as part of the use data as areference point.
 11. The product of claim 7 further comprising a viewcomponent of the medium, the view component being adapted to cause thecollective field of view to change.
 12. The product of claim 7 furthercomprising a locate component of the medium, the locate component beingadapted to cause location of the first data source relative to at leastone reference point.
 13. The product of claim 7 further comprising acoordinate component of the medium, the coordinate component beingadapted to cause coordination of at least some imagers from theplurality of imagers.
 14. The product of claim 7 further comprising atrack component of the medium, the track component being adapted tocause a tracking time series of locations of the first data source to berecorded by the information system as part of the use data.
 15. Theproduct of claim 14 further comprising a confirm component of themedium, the confirm component which is adapted to cause determinationthat the tracking time series and the first data are consistent, whenthe use data specifies confirmation.
 16. The product of claim 7 furthercomprising an optimize component of the medium, the optimize componentcausing the information system to generate an optimum path from thefirst coded data source to a target location, when the use dataspecifies optimizing.
 17. The product of claim 7 further comprising avary component of the medium, the vary component causing variable datato be recorded by the information system as part of the use data, whenthe first data specifies variation.
 18. The product of claim 17 furthercomprising a control component of the medium, the control componentcausing a control signal to be generated by the information system, whenfirst data specifies control.
 19. A data input product adapted to workwith an information system, the product comprising: a first coded datasource, the first coded data source being from a plurality of coded datasources, the first coded data source representing first data; firstlight from the first coded data source, the first light representing thefirst data; a first imager, the first imager having a first field ofview, the first imager being from a plurality of imagers, the pluralityof imagers having a collective field of view, the collective field ofview overlapping at least some coded data sources from the plurality ofcoded data sources, the first field of view being in the collectivefield of view, the first field of view extending along a first triad oforthogonal axes, the first field of view overlapping the first codeddata source, each imager from the plurality of imagers being signalconnected with the information system, the first imager being signalconnected with the information system; a first signal, the first signalbeing caused by the first imager when the first imager detects the firstlight from the first coded data source, the first signal being input tothe information system, the first signal representing the first light; acomputer-readable signal-bearing medium, the medium being signalconnected with the information system, the medium having a usecomponent, the use component causing at least part of the first data tobe made available to a first application operated by the informationsystem, when the first data specifies the first application, the firstapplication being from a plurality of applications.
 20. The product ofclaim 19 further comprising an output component of the medium, theoutput component being adapted to cause output of first output datagenerated by the first application.
 21. The product of claim 19 furthercomprising a record component of the medium, the record componentcausing at least part of the first data to be recorded by theinformation system as part of use data available to the informationsystem, when the first data allows recording.
 22. The product of claim21 further comprising an identity component of the medium, the identitycomponent causing an identity of the first coded data source to berecorded by the information system as part of the use data, when thefirst data allows recording of the identity.
 23. The product of claim 21further comprising a region component of the medium, the regioncomponent being adapted to cause an imager from the plurality of imagersto image a region of space.
 24. The product of claim 21 furthercomprising an orient component of the medium, the orient component beingadapted to cause the spatial location of the first coded data source tobe recorded by the information system as part of the use data as areference point.
 25. The product of claim 21 further comprising a viewcomponent of the medium, the view component being adapted to cause thecollective field of view to change.
 26. The product of claim 21 furthercomprising a locate component of the medium, the locate component beingadapted to cause location of the first data source relative to at leastone reference point.
 27. The product of claim 21 further comprising acoordinate component of the medium, the coordinate component which isadapted to cause coordination of at least some imagers from theplurality of imagers.
 28. The product of claim 21 further comprising atrack component of the medium, the track component being adapted tocause a tracking time series of locations of the first data source to berecorded by the information system as part of the use data.
 29. Theproduct of claim 28 further comprising a confirm component of themedium, the confirm component being adapted to cause determination thatthe tracking time series and the first data are consistent, when the usedata specifies confirmation.
 30. The product of claim 21 furthercomprising a optimize component of the medium, the optimize componentcausing the information system to generate an optimum path from thefirst coded data source to a target location, when the use dataspecifies optimizing.
 31. The product of claim 21 further comprising avary component of the medium, the vary component causing variable datato be recorded by the information system as part of the use data, whenthe first data specifies variation.
 32. The product of claim 31 furthercomprising a control component of the medium, the control componentcausing a control signal to be generated by the information system, whenfirst data specifies control.
 33. The product of claim 19 wherein atleast some imagers from the plurality of imagers are incorporated in aflexible sheet.
 34. The product of claim 33 wherein at least some of themedium is incorporated in the flexible sheet.
 35. The product of claim19 where in at least some coded data sources from the plurality of codeddata sources are incorporated in a flexible sheet.
 36. A data inputproduct adapted to work with an information system, the productcomprising: a first coded data source, the first coded data source beingfrom a plurality of coded data sources, the first coded data sourcerepresenting first data; first light from the first coded data source,the first light representing the first data; a first imager, the firstimager having a first field of view, the first imager being from aplurality of imagers, the plurality of imagers having a collective fieldof view, the collective field of view overlapping at least some codeddata sources from the plurality of coded data sources, the first fieldof view being in the collective field of view, the first field of viewextending along a first triad of orthogonal axes, the first field ofview overlapping the first coded data source, each imager from theplurality of imagers being signal connected with the information system,the first imager being signal connected with the information system; afirst signal, the first signal being caused by the first imager when thefirst imager detects the first light from the first coded data source,the first signal being input to the information system, the first signalrepresenting the first light; a computer-readable signal-bearing medium,the medium being signal connected with the information system, themedium having a use component, the use component causing at least partof the first data to be made available to a first application operatedby the information system, when the first data specifies the firstapplication, the first application being from a plurality ofapplications; a record component of the medium, the record componentcausing at least part of the first data to be recorded by theinformation system as part of use data available to the informationsystem, when the first data allows recording; an identity component ofthe medium, the identity component causing an identity of the firstcoded data source to be recorded by the information system as part ofthe use data, when the first data allows recording of the identity; acoordinate component of the medium, the coordinate component beingadapted to cause coordination of at least some imagers from theplurality of imagers.
 37. The product of claim 36 wherein at least someimagers from the plurality of imagers are incorporated in a flexiblesheet.
 38. The product of claim 37 wherein at least some of the mediumis incorporated in the flexible sheet.
 39. The product of claim 36 wherein at least some coded data sources from the plurality of coded datasources are incorporated in a flexible sheet.